Hanyang Med Rev.  2008 Feb;28(1):28-33.

Microendoscopic Discectomy (MED) for Lumbar Disc Herniation

• Jo DJ
• Kim SM

Abstract

Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common disorders and its current surgical standard is a microsurgical discectomy. The microendoscopic discectomy (MED) was initially developed in 1997 by Foley and Smith and it is a minimally invasive surgical technique. This article discusses the technique, outcome and complications of this procedure. MED is performed by a muscle splitting approach using a series of tubular dilators with consecutively increasing diameters. The original endoscopic procedure is modified with microscope which has led to the development of the Microscopic Endoscopic Tubular Retractor System (METRX, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN). A tubular retractor is inserted over the final dilator, and then the microscope is placed inside the tubular retractor instead of the endoscope. And then microdiscectomy is performed in the usual fashion via tubular retractor. Clinical outcomes by modified MacNab criteria were revealed excellent to good results in up to 95% of the patients. Average return to work period was within 1 month. Complications included nerve root injury, dural tear, and recurrent disc herniations. MED is at least as effective as microdiscectomy for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations with regard to long-term outcomes. MED can be performed safely and effectively with a smaller incision, resulting in a shortened hospital stay and faster return to work.

Keyword

Microendoscopic discectomy; Microsurgical discectomy; METRX; Muscle splitting approach; Clinical outcome

MeSH Terms

Diskectomy
Endoscopes
Humans
Length of Stay
Muscles
Return to Work